IMPROVED PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURE OF TETRAHYDROFURAN

摘要

The disclosed process relates to an improved process for manufacturing THF from a reaction mixture comprising BDO in the presence of an acid catalyst in a reaction vessel comprising a distillation reaction zone, wherein the acid catalyst is suspended in a vapor-rich region in the distillation reaction zone.

主权项

1. An improved process for making tetrahydrofuran, the process comprising:
providing a reaction mixture comprising 1,4-butanediol to a first zone; maintaining conditions of temperature and pressure in the first zone sufficient to produce a vapor-rich region comprising the reaction mixture; providing a second zone in the vapor-rich region between the first zone and a vapor condenser, wherein the second zone comprises an acid catalyst; maintaining conditions of temperature and pressure in the second zone sufficient to effect dehydration of 1,4-butanediol and ring closure to form a product comprising tetrahydrofuran; and recovering the product.